Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Polar Express

Good morning my friends~  I've got a couple of cards here and a bit of a story to share with you if you have a moment to spare.

Here in Maine we have the wonderful opportunity to share in the Polar Express experience by visiting the Maine Narrow Guage Railroad.  Each year they put on the Polar Express for young and old to come and enjoy a magical train ride.
You can find an intro video that you really must watch HERE

My dad has been a volunteer at the railroad for the past 13 years and each year takes on different roles with the Polar Express.  This year, my daughter, her husband and I went on the Polar Express when my dad was Mr. Conductor.

My son-in-law, my dad and my daughter

Me, my dad and my daughter.

Sorry for the poor quality photo's.  It was dark and rainy that night and these were taken with my cell phone so not great quality but great memories.
As we were riding to the North Pole, I wan enchanted by all the happy children, dressed in their pajama's, just waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.  When we weren't being entertained by the chef's serving hot chocolate and cookies or by Hobo Joe, we enjoyed Christmas music being played over the speakers in each car.  All the people in the car would break out in song, singing Christmas Carols.  What joy!  What fun!

It made me realize that despite the struggles we all face each day in our lives, we awake every day with a choice to make.  We can choose each day to let this day be our best day ever.  We can overlook our circumstances and like a child, find joy, laughter and a reason to smile and in return bring a smile to someone else's day.  

My niece and her sweet little family were on the train that night too, although they were in a different car.

I went to sleep that night with such warmth in my heart for the magic and hope that Christmas brings.
A time for giving because of the greatest gift that was ever given, the gift of Jesus, a babe, God's own son, God in the flesh sent to bring the hope of eternity with Him in heaven someday.  

I made these two Christmas cards, one for my dad and one for my niece and her family as a reminder of the wonderful gift of hope given to all humanity.
This one goes to my dad, in hopes that we always hear the bell and believe in the Hope of Christmas.

And this one goes to my niece and her family.  I thought the North Pole would be a fun touch to their card.
I made gold tickets by heat embossing the sentiment in gold on shiny gold card stock.  The train is from Frantic Stamper.

I'll be adding one of these cards to the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday ~ Anything Goes
Dies R Us Challenge ~ Christmas

Thanks so much for joining me today and sticking with me through this thought filled post.
Blessings ~ Birgit

22 comments:

Nancy Penir said...

Brigit, your sweet post put a smile on my heart! How lovely an experience, made even more memorable because of your father being a volunteer. When that movie debuted, I took my young grandchildren to see it, and then to lunch where I gave them each a large bell for their Christmas tree. Memorable, I hope for them as much for me. Looking at your pictures, I'm not sure who's the mother and who's the daughter! You're as beautiful outside as in! Thank you for giving me a happy morning!!!

Marybeth said...

Oh Birgit,what a beautiful heartfelt post ! This is a beautiful time of year! Two of my daughters and their families did the Polar experience last year and loved it! How wonderful that your father is the conductor and volunteer ! Thank you for your beautiful story! My goodness the cards you made are a true treasure! God Bless you and your family!

Nancy Penir said...

Forgot to say... your cards are gorgeous! Adore them both! Love the bright glittery bell, and North Pole. And the frosty shaker too!

Marybeth said...

P S love the the gold ticket and bell! I bought more gold paper yesterday so your box die will go out today. :)

Sharron said...

Goodness, what a wonderful experience! And extra special to have your father as conductor. Thank you so much for sharing your story and the video. Your cards are fabulous and I'm sure will be cherished by their recipients!

Linda said...

Birgit, it warmed my heart just hearing about your Polar Express ride. Lovely family and brings the true meaning of Christmas being with the ones you love. Lovely cards that you made for your dad and niece.

Darlene said...

Oh Birgit what a wonderful experience and how awesome that Dad is the conductor! What fun and what a blessed treasured memory you will have of this night forever! Thanks so much for sharing this with us ... warmed my heart just reading about it.
Your cards are AWESOME and how appropriate! They will be treasured along with the wonderful Polar Express experience! Thanks so much for playing in our ‘CHRISTMAS’ challenge at Dies R Us! Please come back again soon!

Darlene (DRU Blog Leader)
DIES R US CHALLENGE BLOG
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS Please come for a visit.

Cindy Beach said...

What a beautiful story Birgit and I loved seeing the photos of you and your daughter and especially your Dad as conductor. So heat-warming, thanks for sharing it! And I love the card you made! Such fabulous details and a perfectly fitting tribute.

Betty said...

Polar Express has always been one of my favorite books and you captured the spirit of it with you fabulous card - loved seeing the pictures of your family - and especially your dad, the conductor!

Darnell said...

Birgit, I didn't break out in song reading your post, I broke out in tears! It was so very sweet and so very moving! What a blessing to have such a wonderful family. Your dad is so cool! We love trains in this family, too, and that's another reason I loved this post and your incredible card!! Thanks for sharing! Hugs, Darnell

Lisa Elton said...

Your story and the wonderful smiles in the photos warms my heart!! Thank you so much for sharing this Birgit. Your cards are PERFECT for your family and will be treasured!!

Karen L K said...

What a great story and a nice reminder to enjoy some moments in your life! Wonderful cards with the trains also!

Ginny Maxam said...

Great post!! I love the cards too, they are very cool! Thank you for sharing your art with us on Word Art Wednesday! Ginny M, DT

Ann Greenspan's Crafts said...

I love your train cards, Birgit. Best use of the Frantic Stamper train ever! It sounds like you had a great start to your Christmas season with lots of fun and smiles. What great memories you are creating. Thanks for sharing this and your cards.

Unknown said...

How fantastic! Your Dad looks so happy and proud, what an awesome experience! Your cards are fabulous love that train and the shaker aspect of your FUN cards! Merry Merry!

Marcia Hill said...

WOW...what a beautiful and heartfelt post Birgit! I absolutely LOVE the photo's of you, Amanda and your Dad! And your Dad makes quite a dashing train conductor!! What a special evening for all of you...thanks so much for sharing it with us! And your cards are absolutely FABULOUS!! What a perfect momento of a perfect evening...sure to be treasured for years to come! Well done my friend!! :0)

Colleen said...

Birgit, this post was just what I needed to read this morning! It is all about joy and preparing the way for the Lord once again, to remember this is the reason we celebrate. I so enjoyed your pictures and your two cards are absolutely amazing! What a great card to keep for the memory! Thank you for sharing these at Merry Monday and thank you for sharing such heartfelt words with us! God bless! Heart Hugs, Colleen

Teresa Kline said...

hello! what a wonderful card, I so luv that it is a shaker...super sweet! I am so glad you played along with us at simon says stamp wednesday challenge!

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Conniecrafter said...

Oh my sounds like it was a magical evening. They have the same thing over in St. Louis, at least they had it last year. I thought it was something for little kids, but sounds like it is something for even us young at heart kids :)
The cards will be a wonderful reminder and so neat that your Dad can be a part of it too! I love that bell die, haven't seen it before. So neat to make them shaker cards

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

Beautiful cards, I am sure your family will LOVE them! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Merry Monday.

Greetings from Gail said...

I love the sequins for the puffs of smoke from the train!

Maria said...

Gorgeous cards! Thanks so much for sharing with us for the DRU Christmas challenge this month!!